How many Premier League CEOs can you ask about a blocked toilet?
There are not many Premier League football clubs who allow you to sit in the comfort of your own home and directly ask the Deputy Chairman questions.
Which is what makes the semi-regular Brighton & Hove Albion Fans’ Forum such a good occasion. The January 2022 event was held online with Paul Barber joined by Head of Supporter Services Jenny Gower and Head of Media and Communications Paul Camillin.
Mr Barber took every question very seriously, giving full and detailed answers throughout the session which lasted two hours.
It was a real eye opener into the sort of difficult decisions the club have to make and how careful those in charge must be to ensure it is run successfully.
Take the decision on the FA Cup allocation for Spurs away. The club could have ended up squandering £50,000 on tickets which went unsold, leaving them out of pocket.
Listening to the Fans’ Forum left me absolutely convinced that the pyramid of senior managers and support staff off-the-pitch is every bit as good as Graham Potter and the players on it.
These people will continue to take Brighton forward in an era that we as Albion fans should feel extremely luck to be a part of. My late dad would have loved it.
Mrs Gower started off by saying that the Fans’ Forum coincided with the launch of the new Fan Advisory Board idea. This would see a group of elected representatives from across the supporter base meet with club officials to discuss issues.
The finer details are still being worked out and an announcement would follow later in the year. We already have one of the most open board-fan relationships in the Premier League and this will grow it further.
I was unsure how long the session would last so I jumped in early to ask Mr Barber three questions. My first was about attendance figures and the discrepancy between what the club announces and how many people are actually at the Amex.
Mr Barber explained that the club reports tickets sold and that this is not necessarily the actual number of people inside the stadium. This is per the request of the Premier League.
My second question was the most important. I asked on behalf of my good lady wife and all the other ladies who sit in the East Upper why the toilets have been continually blocked at almost every game this season.
This is not a pleasant experience for our female fans. Mr Barber said he would get David Baker to look into the problem.
So there we have it ladies, let us hope Mr Baker can sort the blockage out and improve your toilet experience for the remaining home matches.
My final question was about car parking and the loss of Bennett’s Field. Mr Barber explained quite clearly that Mr Bennett wants to build on his land rather than rent it to the Albion again.
University accommodation was mentioned and so it seems unlikely that Brighton fans will be able to use the car park again anytime soon. The club are mindful of the problems this is causing and have the situation under constant review.
Other subjects raised included the season ticket sharing scheme. Mrs Gower sought to explain to those who were confused about how it worked, as well as laying out the changes announced as part of the 20022-23 season ticket renewal package announced earlier in the week.
Another supporter asked about the increase of violence at the Amex and more pitch invasions taking place. The answer to that was the club have a duty of care to protect their staff and anybody who threatens that by getting onto the pitch will not be allowed back.
The club said they have been looking at the issue of safe standing. Chelsea and Spurs are amongst the Premier League clubs now offering it.
Mr Barber said that the Amex had never been built with standing in mind. If seats were removed to accommodate the space needed for safe standing, then revenue would drop.
The Albion have lost money through having their doors shut during the pandemic and any businessman must therefore be careful about how they steer their business through many more difficult months.
It is no good getting everything right on the pitch, but then making foolish decisions behind the scenes. When you read about Derby County, it is easy to understand that viewpoint.
The Rams are on the brink of being closed due to a lack of money caused by terrible decision making in the boardroom. They are a famous, well supported and traditional club who have a fantastic stadium. If it can happen to them, it can happen to anyone.
I must say that the two hours spent listening to senior figures at the club was extremely enlightening. They clearly have supporters at the heart of what they do, so let us help and put our faith behind them when tough decisions have to be made.
It was an enjoyable evening and I felt extremely privileged to be able to take part. Up the Albion – and here is to a working ladies toilet in the East Upper.
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
